James Aimonetti

James Peter Aimonetti
James Peter Aimonetti, 88, died on December 12, 2014 at Guardian Angels Health and Rehabilitation Care Center in Hibbing, MN where he resided for the past 2-1/2 years.  James (Jim) was born at home in Nashwauk, MN on February 14, 1926 to Peter and Domenica (Roscio) Aimonetti, immigrants from Perebella, Piedmont, Italy.  Jim grew up in Nashwauk, graduating from Nashwauk High School in 1944, at which time he enlisted in the U.S. Navy.  He served as a radioman on a search and rescue ship in the North Pacific, Aleutian Islands, during World War II from 1944-1946.  After his discharge, Jim attended Itasca Jr. College in Grand Rapids, MN, and then Radio/Television and Communications School in Kansas City, MO.  Jim was employed by Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co. for 33 years—first as a lab chemist and then as a welder.
Jim was a member of St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, and Nashwauk Gun Club.  He was also a Volunteer Fireman in Nashwauk for 20 years.  He loved deer hunting with his son Peter, sons-in-law, grandsons, nephew Butch Sarago, great nephews Jon, Tony and Cory Sarago, and friend Joey Marinaro.  Jim was an avid Vikings fan who watched the games on TV—adding his own colorful commentary throughout the game.  He especially liked following his grandkids' participation in sports from their early years all the way through State Championship games.  He enjoyed camping and sitting around a campfire, hearing and telling a good story or joke, biking, cross-country skiing and just being with the family he loved and his many wonderful friends.
Jim is survived by his “wifey” of 64 years, Marilyn;  his four children and their spouses, eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren:  Daughter Jayne (Dick) Owens, Coleraine, MN and their sons Tadd (wife Amy and their children Nolan and Teagan), Keller, TX and Kipp (Shannon), Folsom, CA;  Daughter Sheri (Gary) Kalisch, Nashwauk, MN and their children Michael (wife Jody and their children Kadin and Kole), Bovey, MN, Tim (wife Amy and their children Ella and Paige), Nashwauk, MN, Melissa Kalisch (Fiancé Jim Kinkel and her children Lexi and Jace), Nashwauk, MN; Son Peter (Jean) Aimonetti, Cottage Grove, MN; Daughter Nancy (Wayne) Roberts, Pengilly, MN and their sons Terry, Morris Plains, NJ, Thomas, Duluth, MN, and Travis, Pengilly, MN.  Jim is also survived by three nephews—Frank Saccoman, Peter Saccoman and Thomas (Butch) Sarago and their families.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, an infant daughter Mary Ann, his four sisters—Lena Saccoman, Josephine McDonald, Marie Kozol, Lucy Sarago, and niece Rosemary Annerer.
Jim’s family extends a special thank you to the staff at Guardian Angels, Hibbing, MN for all the love and kindness shown Jim while he resided there.  “It made our lives easier knowing he was well-cared for and happy there.”  Thanks also to the family and friends who visited him at Guardian Angels.  Those visits truly brightened his days.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in James’s name to the Nashwauk Food Shelf.
Visitation will be Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014, in St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church from 10 AM until the 11 AM Mass of Christian Burial.  Interment will be made privately in Nashwauk Cemetery.  Arrangements are with Dougherty Funeral Home, Hibbing.  To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.doughertyofhibbing.com

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